Real Estate Blog of Larry Wenglin

A Deal is a Deal

My last post explored what constitutes a valid signature on a contract. In this post, I focus on when a signed contract to sell real estate is enforceable.

Most real estate transactions in Massachusetts start with an Offer to Purchase (“OTP”). The buyer signs the OTP and writes an escrow deposit check. After some negotiation, both parties sign the final version of the OTP. Most real estate agents in Massachusetts use a version of the Greater Boston Real Estate Board’s “standard” form. In the section entitled “Riders,” buyers usually reference an attached mortgage contingency and an inspection contingency. For condominiums, buyers also normally write in a contingency to review the “condominium documents.”

The buyer’s legal obligations
Paragraph 5 of the standard offer states that if the buyer does not “fulfill his obligations,” the worst that can happen is the loss of the initial deposit, usually $1,000. In my experience, buyers very rarely lose their initial deposit. I have never heard of an instance where a buyer had a good faith reason for changing her mind and did not get her deposit back. If the buyer makes a sincere attempt to purchase the property, sellers generally agree to return the deposit if the deal falls apart. It is bad business for a seller to try and hold a buyer’s deposit. The only real damage to the seller is loss of market time. A buyer has to behave extremely badly for a seller to consider retaining a deposit.

The seller’s legal obligations
On the other hand, the OTP is binding and enforceable against a seller. The seller’s only obligation specifically articulated in the standard OTP is in Paragraph 3, which says that both parties “shall sign” a purchase and sales agreement (“P&S”) at some point, generally within two weeks. Real estate and contract law requires that both parties act in “good faith” during the course of the contract, which includes bargaining over the terms of the P&S. Although “good faith” is subjective, a seller cannot change his mind about the deal because he just got a better offer or he just no longer likes the basic terms and conditions. If the seller backs out of the deal, and the buyer files a successful lawsuit, the seller will be required to sell the property to the buyer.

Whether you are a buyer or a seller, do not enter into a real estate transaction lightly. You should have the intention of doing what you can to make it work. Buyers have several avenues of escape if the deal no longer makes sense. Sellers, however, are basically locked in unless the buyer becomes unreasonable.

* In most cases, just because the buyer can’t get the deposit back doesn’t mean that the seller automatically gets it. The deposit is initially stuck in the agent’s escrow account. The seller cannot receive the deposit until the escrow agent obtains the consent of both parties. Initially, this can prove difficult. Most often, the parties eventually agree to some compromise based on the threat of litigation and the trouble and time related to fighting over $1,000. I have also seen the parties simply fail to come to an agreement and the money never released.